Burma’s economy accelerating, says Suu Kyi

Burma's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi delivers her speech at the ASEAN summit in Manila on 12 November 2017. (PHOTO: MOI)

The Burmese economy is accelerating due to significant transformations within every sector.

That’s according to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi who spoke at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Manila yesterday.

She also told her fellow delegates that much of Burma’s recent success was down to her government’s policy of ensuring “a level playing field,” hinting that it was overturning the bureaucracy and corruption that is often associated with previous administrations.

“Significant reforms can especially be seen in the investment sector, as visible progress is being made in ensuring a level playing field,” Burma’s state media reported her saying.

The Burmese leader added that an increased participation by women was being demonstrated in both the business and social sectors, not only in Burma but across the region.

The State Counsellor was greeted by Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte at a dinner last night celebrating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. State media said Suu Kyi also met with Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ahead of the dinner when the pair “exchanged views on bilateral cooperation”.

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Meanwhile, President Htin Kyaw marked the 97th anniversary of Burma’s National Day on Monday, saying that the country was on track towards its goals of development and unity.

In an open letter, Htin Kyaw said, “Unity among the government, the people, the army, the parliament and civil society has reached its highest ever level. Myanmar [Burma] is on the right track to development.”

He noted that the Union Peace Conference, or 21st Century Panglong Conference, is ongoing, and he urged all ethnic nationalities in Burma to work together for the sake of a union based on a federal system.